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365 Creative Writing Prompts – Day 1

So it is true that if you want to become a better writer, you need to practice every single day.

So recently I have been in a bit of a lull as far as creativity is concerned. I have ideas in my head, but it has been a little while since I have actually picked up the pen to jot down more than just an idea or phrase or two.

My wife has inspired (well… challenged me) to come up with, develop and write a children’s picture book – that way I can be as silly as I want without getting bogged down with serious detail. And once the story is written, I can exercise my illustration skills to create a full and final product.

I like the idea, and so this bank holiday I did nothing. Well… nothing to help with that goal. I procrastinated by filming a Zelda Board Game Unboxing, but that in itself has inspired me in a way. It was fun, it was creative, and it gave me ideas of what I should do next.

So today I got to work – I opened up my browser and I noticed a tab I left open last week; 365 Creative Writing Prompts. I figured I’d give it a go, and thought I’d post the results. Please be kind, I haven’t spent much thought or time on these – nor have I edited them – so they are probably pretty poor, but it has been an inspiring start to the day and to the week, and so – with a fist pumped in the air – I’m gonna go for it and write a few paragraphs every (work-day) morning. Well… for as long as I can, anyway.

Here is day 1.

Outside the Window: What’s the weather outside your window doing right now? If that’s not inspiring, what’s the weather like somewhere you wish you could be?

The trees across the McDonald’s car park sway. Not with any particular gusto, not bending under the power of a strong wind, but the branches sway quickly, shortly and with a sense of urgency, like a nervous man before a life changing decision. They seem to say ‘there is a wind, but it is unsettled’.

As I look out of the grimy window beside my computer, the dull grey clouds floating lazily along, selfish withholding the sun rays of which only one or two slip through, I am reminded of the fickle attitude of the English weather. Not even a week before we were sitting outside with ice creams, enjoying an unexpected may-time heatwave. Then the bank holiday happened, and what was glorious and bright turned miserable and dull, raining on plans of long walks and barbecues.

It’s no wonder the British people are how they are. People reflect their environments, their local weather. I look around the office. Faces staring blankly at their computer monitors, the only movement in their entire body confined to the wrists and lower.

Work can be like that. Work affects people in the same way a bank holiday affects the weather. Creative people with dreams, glorious and bright, now turned miserable and dull.